Contents

About

An introduction to what the CTOS controls

The CTOS is a very complex interconnection of electronic systems, such as computer servers, sensors and databases, that interact to manage the city-wide infrastructure of Chicago. Many systems are connected and controlled by CTOS servers, such as subway lines, traffic lights and surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, the CTOS is also the core weakness of the city, as it can be hacked into using backdoor programs or facial recognition malfunctions, and used as a weapon against the city and its inhabitants. CTOS also manages to obtain and store data of Chicago inhabitants, which it does via various methods, such as by retrieving user information stored on CTOS connected consumer electronics and by using Chicago's mass surveillance system. All of the information gathered by CTOS is stored in the control centers (data servers) located throughout Chicago.

Along with being able to tamper with the CTOS telecommunication towers, Aiden Pearce is able to access the information and the mechanism responsible for accessing and storing it in the control centres. Communication sites are placed between the control centers to promote the effective and efficient transfer of data over large distances. Although CTOS is successful in reducing the crime rate of Chicago, it does not protect the city as well as Blume claims. CTOS is also tied to a space satellite, which functions as a safety measure intended for the remote shutting down of the entire system if deemed necessary.

Controversy

One question that is frequently asked about the CTOS is: Who controls the system that controls Chicago? One negative that has been noted about the CTOS is that large businesses could use the data stored by CTOS to maximize profits. It has also been noted that control of the system could fall into the wrong hands, like those of hackers such as Damien Brenks, T-Bone, Aiden Pearce and Defalt.

The fact that control of CTOS could fall into the wrong hands has clearly been brought to the public's attention by a hacking collective known as DedSec. The group hacks into the system and misappropriated its abilities to use it for its own purposes, such as invasions of privacy or data collection, simultaneously emphasizing the enormous power and security flaws of CTOS.

Gallery

Trivia

CTOS was upgraded to CTOS 2.0 with assumed upgraded security features after Aiden Pearce rebooted it. CTOS 2.0 was then installed in several other cities, including San Francisco and Oakland.

Taking the fact that Assassin's Creed and Watch Dogs are (probably) in the same universe, CTOS might be controlled by the Templars, the powerful group of people who control the world in the Assassin's Creed series.

The CTOS is mentioned in an Easter Egg in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

CTOS vehicles are rare to come by after completing every district access mission.

CTOS is the main antagonist of the Alone Digital Trip, where it takes over the city with an army of robots in a twisted form of martial law.

In Watch Dogs 2, the Profiler has been redone to look more visually pleasing, including an emoji to reflect the NPC's general mood. Vehicles also have their own UI box which states: company name, logo, car make & model, car category, and also its license plate number.